Issaquah Auto Repair

It's officially the fall season, and here in Issaquah, we can expect the showers to start falling soon and the weather to cool down in the next few weeks. When the leaves start turning colors and we suddenly need to wear our sweaters again, it's time to think about your vehicle's maintenance.  See, during the summer, the heat can take a toll on our vehicles. The warm temperatures can wear out parts faster and can break down important fluids. Plus, many drivers tend to use their vehicles more often during the summer because they are taking road trips or have some time off work to spend time with family. In any case, it's important to have your vehicle serviced and inspected after the summer to restore your vehicle and ensure that it is ready for the weather changes to come.  Here in Washington, we are no stranger to the rain, and with the rainstorms on their way, getting your vehicle prepared will save you time, money, and trouble. Here are some of the mainte ... read more

Noticing a leak coming from underneath your vehicle can be worrisome. As soon as you see a leak, be sure to inspect the liquid to determine its color and where it is coming from. Fluid leaking from your car could mean a variety of different things, and the color of the liquid is usually an accurate indicator of where that leak is coming from. Here are some of the colors to look out for if you notice a leak: Red - Red fluid usually points to a transmission or power steering system leak. This can stem from a broken transmission seal or a hole in a line between systems.  Orange - Orange liquid can be tricky. The orange color can actually indicate leaking antifreeze or just regular condensation that is rusty from the radiator. Transmission fluid can also look orange particularly if the fluid is old.  Yellow - Yellow fluid is a sign of a radiator coolant leak. This can begin to leak if there is a loose hose clamp or a damaged o-ring.  Green - Green fluid leaking can poin ... read more

When you first own a vehicle, one of the most important services that you learn about is your vehicle's oil change. It is the most frequent service that your vehicle receives and is one of the most vital in terms of engine performance and longevity. It is typically required between every 3-6 months but can vary for newer vehicles. Your vehicle's owner's manual is the best source for understanding how often your vehicle needs its oil change.  Your vehicle's engine oil has the important job of keeping engine parts lubricated and clean. It does tend to wear down quicker than the other fluids inside of your vehicle, which is why oil changes are more frequent. If you have an oil change nearing, we advise you to never consider skipping it! Here are some of the reasons why you should never skip an oil change:  A skipped oil change can lead to severe engine damage which can be costly to repair.    Running on old oil can lead to poor fuel efficiency ... read more

There's something truly special about the summertime - the warmer weather, kids are out of school, and vacations planned from months earlier are finally coming into view. It is also a time where many people are using their vehicles more, whether they are visiting friends or family or taking their car for a road trip. With the increase in the use of our cars, it is important to get our vehicles ready for the summer heat and ensure that they will last through the next couple of months without major issues.  The summer tends to take a toll on our vehicles, due to both the heat and increase in use. In order to control and maintain the extra wear and tear, there are certain things that you can do as a vehicle owner to help prepare your vehicle for the summer.  Have your vehicle inspected here at Autoworks of Issaquah before any long trips. Road trips are a popular occurrence around this time of year, and before you hit the road, you'll definitely want to ensure that ... read more

Having a working car air conditioner in the summer is essential to keeping comfortable, cool, and safe on the road. When you find that your air conditioner doesn't work on a hot summer day, you'll have a very uncomfortable and probably sweaty ride ahead of you. As soon as you notice that your vehicle's air conditioning system either doesn't work at all or isn't as cold as it used to be, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop for an A/C system inspection.  If you are experiencing problems with your car's A/C, you may be wondering what could be causing you issues, and whether or not the repair is a big or small one. Let's look at some of the common issues that can occur when it comes to faulty air conditioning systems and what causes these problems to occur.  Air doesn't blow out of vents - if you notice that no air is blowing out of your vents at all, this can be caused by a faulty blower motor or fan.  ... read more

Issaquah is surrounded on three sides by what are known locally as the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain on the west, Squak Mountain to the south, and Tiger Mountain to the southeast. Most of us living in Issaquah have become accustomed to mountain driving, especially when traveling to some of our beautiful state parks. Mountain can be dangerous, however, due to its winding roads and steep slopes. We urge you to take extra precautions whenever you find ourself driving through mountainous areas and remember the following safety tips.  Engines can tend to overheat when chugging uphill. This is why it is so important to have your vehicle's cooling system properly maintained. Coolant circulates throughout the engine and ensures that the temperature is regulated, especially in situations of high RPM. If you are driving with a faulty cooling system component or low coolant, you may find yourself in an engine overheating situation while driving in the mountains. If you do suspect a coo ... read more

Across the United States and around the globe, we are dealing with a pandemic that is quickly spreading and disrupting our everyday lives. While there is a lot of uncertainty around what we should do to prevent COVID-19 from continuing to spread, the best thing we can all do as citizens is ensure that we are following the CDC's recommendations and our government's orders for staying home and practicing proper sanitizing techniques.  Here in Washington, you may wonder if you can get your car serviced or repaired while we are ordered to shelter in place. The good news is, auto repair is considered an essential service and we remain open to help with all of your auto repair needs. While we remain open, we will also take special precautions to ensure that we are not contributing to the spread of the coronavirus.  If you are currently out of work or working from home, now is a great time to get your oil changed if you're due or cross off that repair that you've b ... read more

It is getting rainy here in Issaquah, WA, and there isn’t a better time than any to take a look at your wiper blades! We can only imagine the headache of driving on a cold rainy day only to see the rubber from the wiper blade peeling off. We have composed a few helpful reminders to extend the life of your wiper blades during this wet time of the year. If you stay proactive, you could also save yourself a few extra dollars on replacement costs. Here are a few tips to promote the longevity of your wiper blades:   1. Wash your car! A clean vehicle keeps dirt, mud, and grime from building up on your wiper blades, which can cause wear and tear. Try keeping your windshield clean without using the wiper blade and fluid to dust off bugs and dirt. 2. There is not much snow in Issaquah, but if you encounter some, try not to use your wiper blades to remove it. Snow can be abrasive to the rubber and cause small tears. When in doubt, try using a scrapper to de-ice your windows. 3. On ... read more

When it comes to hitting the road, you never know what can happen. Driving in unpredictable, especially because getting safely to your destination doesn't always rely on your own individual driving. A component in your vehicle could break unexpectedly, leaving you stranded. You may also find yourself with a flat tire after driving over a nail in the road. You really don't know what can happen, but being prepared to the best of your ability can be a lifesaver when you're in a tough spot.  Here are some of the safety supplies that are must-haves when it comes to what to always have in your car:  Jumper cables - having jumper cables can make the difference between needing a tow or not if you find yourself with a dead battery. You will need a friend or family member to help jump start your car, or you can also have a battery jump pack on hand to be able to jump start your car yourself.  Tire sealant - Tire sealant can seal and inflate a tire quickly if you fin ... read more

We know that driving during the winter weather can be stressful at times. Not only can it make your commute longer, but it can also make your drive more dangerous if your car isn't taken care of properly. When it comes to driving in ice or snow, we a few a hacks that will help you conquer regular winter car problems and get you on the road quicker.  Use hand sanitizer to defrost car door handles and locks. Hand sanitizer has a main ingredient of alcohol which helps to quickly defrost ice. Keeping a small keychain sized hand sanitizer on your key ring can be helpful in this instance.    If your driveway is covered in ice or sleet, you may have trouble getting out of the driveway. Using kitty litter is another trick that can help give your car's tires traction with the road.    Another winter weather issue that you may find yourself experiencing is frozen windshield wipers. Putting old socks over each windshield wiper can help prevent the wipers from ... read more